Do You Have Mad Skills?

“And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.” Exodus 36:1

Following the golden calf fiasco at the base of Mt. Sinai, God commanded the Israelites to build a temple according to His plans. The temple would be expertly made by skilled builders. The adornments inside the temple were of the highest quality.

Was it pure dumb luck that the Israelite camp was filled to overflowing with expert crafts persons? No…God provided the wisdom and understanding to those who were willing to do the work. There were engravers, yarn spinners, designers, tapestry makers, jewel cutters, those who forged gold, silver and bronze. God abundantly blessed the Israelites with these and many other skills needed to get the job done.

Likewise, God gives each of us certain skills to use for His glory. That is why Paul said in Romans 12:6-8, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

I believe God not only gives people spiritual gifts, but everyday skills too such as a beautiful singing voice, playing an instrument, sewing or create things from textiles, the ability to write… So whatever mad skill you may have, remember that it came from the Father. And never forget what 1 Corinthians 10:30 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Mum’s The Word!

In 1980 I donned my very first (and last) homecoming mum. What is a homecoming mum you ask? Well, it was only last week that I found out homecoming mums are almost exclusively a Texas tradition. Being the selfish, ‘we are the center-of-the-universe’ Texan that I am, I assumed everyone participated in the gaudy ritual that is…the homecoming mum.

This is Texas and size does matter—well in homecoming mums anyway! The bigger the better is the mantra for Deep South beauties. A pancake sized chrysanthemum, either real or fake attached to a cardboard backdrop makes up the base of the corsage. The mum can be enhanced with stuffed animals, the school mascot or even goal posts made from pipe cleaners. An explosion of ribbon in the school’s colors, reaching up to and beyond three feet in length hangs from the mum. The ribbons usually bear the wearers name and the name of her beau, or interest, or date in bright glitter letters. Trinkets such as footballs, music notes and the like are attached as well. A veritable floral monstrosity that when attached to your shirt, pulls the garment down to your belly button! I suppose that’s why some where their mums around their necks like a breastplate.

I tried unsuccessfully looking online to find the history of the homecoming mum, so I went to a source I knew would give me the answer I was looking for…my mom. According to Mom who began her high school career in the tiny town of Milano, Texas (just west of Bryan/College Station), no one in her school ever wore a mum (and Mom was a cheerleader, so she would know!) Mom finished high school in Houston, Texas at Sam Houston High. She remembered the drill team girls always wore matching yellow checked dresses on game day and on homecoming Friday, a small mum accompanied their ensemble. That all happened in the gay old year of 1955.

Say, since my young adult novel is set in Kerrville, Texas maybe I should have one of the characters receive one of those big beautiful bust bouquets! I could start a trend for the entire USA! And then again, maybe not.

Yes…that’s me on the left in the picture. I remember me and my best friend, Krista, proudly wearing our matching cable knit sweaters to the game and literally sweating through to our Columbia blue mum ribbons. In South Texas, fall might mean football, hayrides and bonfires, but it doesn’t always mean cool weather. What you can’t see in the picture is our matching baby blue corduroy jeans! So who was the handsome stranger that gave me my one and only homecoming mum? It wasn’t a stranger at all; it was my mom and dad. No, it doesn’t have to be a boyfriend who gives you a mum. It just has to be someone who loves you.

What kind of person would I be?

If I put off reading my Bible until later and later never came?

If I drifted off to sleep saying a prayer?

If I didn’t tell my neighbors about the Good News of Christ because they don’t speak the same language as me?

If I dropped my son off at See You At The Pole and sped away to an appointment instead of standing by his side and praying with him?

If I didn’t thank God for the countless prayers He’s answered?

If I didn’t remember daily that God sacrificed His Son for me?

If I had more eighties songs committed to memory than scripture?

If I became lax in the television programs I allowed my children to watch?

If I let the perfect opportunity to witness, get away?

If I didn’t give all He was encouraging me to give?

What kind of person would I be?

What kind of person are you?

The Confidential Life Of Eugenia Cooper

Gennie Cooper longs for a Wild West adventure such as the ones Mae Winslow, experiences in the dime store novels Gennie reads. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to board a train for Colorado in search of adventure before settling down with the drab banker in her future.

Her plans for a quick adventure are put on hold when Gennie is met with the challenge of taming the wild daughter of a widowed silver baron, Daniel Beck. Coerced into marrying Daniel to save her reputation, Gennie’s life is turned upside down in a Wild West adventure she will never forget!

I didn’t think I was a fan of westerns having read a few of Larry McMurtry’s offerings. But Kathleen Y’Barbo has the ability to weave a western that left me wanting to read more of Gennie Cooper’s story. Can you say…sequel?

This book had one of the best dun-dun-dunnnnnnn moments I’ve ever read. You know what I mean…something happens unexpectedly at the end of a chapter and you hear this sound in your head, DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNN!

This is the first book I’ve read by Kathleen Y’Barbo which is kind of embarrassing since she’s a good friend of mine. Now I suppose I’ll have to read some of her other books like, The Fairweather Keys Series. If they’re half as good as The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, then I should be pleasantly pleased.

You can find our more about Kathleen and watch the book trailer for Eugenia Cooper on her website, www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Another Three Bite The Dust

This week marked the passing of three more celebrities into eternity—Patrick Swayze, Henry Gibson and Mary Travers. Did you ever wonder how God comes up with which three people will forever be linked in history as dying in the same week?

Do you think there might be a formula, a process, a method?

Let’s examine the latest three entrants.
Patrick Swayze: born in Houston, TX, actor of stage and screen, (Dirty Dancing, The Outsiders, Ghost, Point Break) dancer extraordinaire
Henry Gibson: born in Germantown, PA, actor (Laugh In, Boston Legal), poet, voice-over actor
Mary Travers: born in Louisville, KY, iconic folk/protest singer (Puff the Magic Dragon, Blowing in the Wind, Lemon Tree, Leaving on a Jet Plane)

So the common denominator is (drum roll please) they were all the same age at death! No, while Mary and Henry were close at 72 and 73 respectively, Patrick, however, was only 57. That theory won’t work. Perhaps it was because they were all actors. No, I can’t find any evidence that Mary Travers did any serious acting. So what could it be other than their fame? But isn’t that the reason we pay attention to their deaths in the first place?

June was a landmark month for celebrity deaths, welcoming the likes of Farrah Fawcett and the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. The third celebrity, on the other hand, is a little sketchy. Both were only mildly famous, so I guess you can pick the celebrity you’ve actually heard of. On June 28, impressionist, Fred Travelina and pitchman, Billy Mays passed away. Yeah, like I said—choose your favorite. So what do these three…four celebrities have in common? They were all 80s icons, well, except for Billy Mays anyway. And Michael was popular through the 90s. No connection! Back to square one.

July marked the deaths of three American icons; Karl Malden, Walter Cronkite and Oscar Meyer, Jr. It’s simple to see what these three have in common…absolutely nothing. Except that they all three died really old and really rich.

August deaths welcomed the likes of electric guitar inventor, Les Paul into the fray. Following Les was American royalty, Ted Kennedy and third, Chanel, the worlds oldest living Dachshund. What do these three have in common you ask? Well, two are most certainly dogs, but where does that leave Les Paul?

Finally, there was another death in September, but this woman’s only celebrity claim was to be the oldest recognized living person, according to Guinness World Records. Gertrude Baines died September 11, at the ripe old age of ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN! The reason I added this tidbit of information is because I had to laugh at the newspaper report stating Mrs. Baines died of a suspected heart attack. Come on! At 115 can’t you just say the poor woman died of natural causes for heaven’s sake?

So I wonder—when a celebrity dies, do other celebrities begin walking on eggshells? Hmm…

"The Premier Christian Fiction Conference"

STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

DENVER, COLORADO 
SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009

Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.

This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.

This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.

The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.

The Five Love Languages For Women and To A Lesser Extent, Men

Every fall our church offers a series of adult Bible studies to supplement the children and youth classes being offered on Sunday evenings. It was last year about this time that my husband and I took the big step and joined a class together…Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages For Couples.

I’d heard of the Five Love Languages books before, but had no idea what it was all about and had never taken the “test” for myself.

Here is a breakdown of Chapman’s Five Love Languages:

• Words of Affirmation
Complimenting your spouses looks, or how great dinner tasted. The compliments in turn boost your spouses confidence and self worth.
• Quality Time
Being together, doing things together and focusing on one another. Giving each other your undivided attention.
• Gifts
It is universal in human cultures to give gifts. They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love.
• Acts of Service
Vacuuming, hanging a bird feeder, planting a garden, etc., done with joy, provide the spouse with this Love Language a powerful gift of love.
• Physical Touch
Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need. (Who are they trying to fool? We all know where this is going).

I was surprised and somewhat pleased to come to the realization that I scored highest on the Love Language—GIFTS. It made sense. I love it when my hubby gives me little tokens of his affection. A couple of my favorites have been, a cookie wrapped up in napkins left over from a luncheon, a piece of granite from the Galveston Jetty shaped like a heart, special goodies he’s procured just for me at a convention. Receiving these little sentiments mean a lot to me. It shows that he’s thinking about me.

My hubby, on the other hand, scored highest on the Love Language—PHYSICAL TOUCH…as did every other man in the class…go figure. Just another reminder that all men are driven by sex.

The “test” uses a ranking system to determine your top three or so Love Languages. Chapman obviously designed the “test” in this manner (for the men) so they would have a fallback Love Language to go along with their main language…sex.

And what was the number two Love Language of the men in the class? You got it, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION. The way I see it, after a man has been sexually satisfied, what better way to top off the LOVE experience than to have your woman tell you how good it (he) was!

But seriously, the class was very informative and enlightened me to things I never realized about myself. I would recommend it to all women. And I have to admit, what I said was true for only about 95 percent of the men in the class. There was the one effeminate heterosexual guy who scored highest on QUALITY TIME, but then again, no one was surprised by that either.